Fusion replacement for Clarion XMD1 on 480DB

[Lake Erie Boater]

OK . . . I am surprised the Fusion does not have a power fader control. I am REALLY OK with that if you plan to operate in one zone. I can also provide a solution if you want to build another zone but let's focus on your main listening area.

You stated you would be willing to make an amp(s) change. You also mentioned adding a third set of speakers. You also asked about the Audio Control Overdrive. Let's do all this!

The Fusion has a low 3 volt pre-amp output. These ratings can be misleading from one brand to another but, in print, Fusion was honestly low. Great opportunity for the Overdrive and what an excellent and inexpensive upgrade.

Six speakers and a sub means four channels to seven/eight channels of amplification. A new six channel amp is in order. I would get a six channel amp for your speakers and a two channel amp for sub. We will bridge the sub amp for your single subwoofer. Most of the great multi channel amps have some bridging and cross-over controls. The six channel amp will like your six 4 ohm speakers.

We will not use the Fusion Sub out. This will be a simple two channel system with tons of control for speaker and sub balancing. Fusion audio out to Overdrive. Overdrive audio out to amp(s). Connect speakers correctly, make some critical adjustments for cross-overs and gain controls and enjoy.

There is one area I will struggle with on recommendation . . . how much power will be needed for your listening needs. If you purchase too much power you can turn it down. If you purchase too little power you will have to upgrade. Let me know what you are thinking of for amp(s) purchase and I will opinionate for you.

Random thoughts . . . Are the six speakers you are using the same brand/series? You may not care but I do. Are you designing the system with forward staging in mind? Not for everyone but I like all the attributes.

HIFI,

The head unit actually has 3 zones with independant volume for each, maybe it was their intent to utilize each zones volume to act as the fader? Regardless, I am treating the 6 cockpit speakers as 1 zone.

Yes, all 6 speakers will be POLK db6501 components. I used these to replace the four clarions when they rotted out. I plan to add a pair directed more toward the stern in an attempt to bring the sweet spot further into the cockpit as well as to carry more sound onto the swimplatform for those anchor outs.

I have also read that it is better to go bigger with the amps and turn down the gain for the best sound. I do want to have a full range of sound at LOW to medium volume levels as my wife requires this 90% of the time. :smt021 That being said, I wouldn't mind being able to rock the sandbar, within the limits of my "mid-size" budget and speakers when the opportunity arises.

With this in mind I am thinking JL amps, but am really on the fence when it comes to spending the big dollars for their Class D HD amps only to have them driving the POLK speakers. Besides, they don't have a 6 channel HD amp. What do you think? Is it worth the big bucks?

I am also a bit curious about your comment to abandon the sub-woofer pre-outs. The FUSION does have sub-woofer control built into the head unit. Will I lose this control by not using this pre-out? I do like the idea of being able to turn the base down when the music goes from say Metallica to Flo-rida.

THANKS again for your input.

 

[HIFI]

HIFI,

The head unit actually has 3 zones with independant volume for each, maybe it was their intent to utilize each zones volume to act as the fader? Regardless, I am treating the 6 cockpit speakers as 1 zone.

Yes, all 6 speakers will be POLK db6501 components. I used these to replace the four clarions when they rotted out. I plan to add a pair directed more toward the stern in an attempt to bring the sweet spot further into the cockpit as well as to carry more sound onto the swimplatform for those anchor outs.

I have also read that it is better to go bigger with the amps and turn down the gain for the best sound. I do want to have a full range of sound at LOW to medium volume levels as my wife requires this 90% of the time. :smt021 That being said, I wouldn't mind being able to rock the sandbar, within the limits of my "mid-size" budget and speakers when the opportunity arises.

With this in mind I am thinking JL amps, but am really on the fence when it comes to spending the big dollars for their Class D HD amps only to have them driving the POLK speakers. Besides, they don't have a 6 channel HD amp. What do you think? Is it worth the big bucks?

I am also a bit curious about your comment to abandon the sub-woofer pre-outs. The FUSION does have sub-woofer control built into the head unit. Will I lose this control by not using this pre-out? I do like the idea of being able to turn the base down when the music goes from say Metallica to Flo-rida.

THANKS again for your input.

There are several 6 channel amps out there. I would not tell anyone the JL Class D HD amps are a good or bad choice. I am sure they are outstanding. You may also consider the XD600/6 if you want to go with JL Audio. One of the benefits of the six channels is you will have control of each pair of speakers and just one amp to mount.

A separate amp, with its own power supply, for your sub is the best configuration. Lots of choices and many, including JL's, have a separate level control that can be added on.

You may also use the Fusion Sub out to the dedicated Sub Amp if you want. Easy to configure. I am just wondering if the Sub Processing electronics in the Fusion are as good as what a JL Audio amp will have for Sub Processing. I think not.

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

OK, a six channel amp will drive the speakers and a separate amp will drive the sub. That makes sense. The 2 channel preout from the head unit goes into the Overdrive which then goes into the 6 channel amp. If I don't use the sub pre-out from the head, how does the amp serving the sub actually get its signal?

 

[HIFI]

OK, a six channel amp will drive the speakers and a separate amp will drive the sub. That makes sense. The 2 channel preout from the head unit goes into the Overdrive which then goes into the 6 channel amp. If I don't use the sub pre-out from the head, how does the amp serving the sub actually get its signal?

Many amps will have a line out that simply passes the original pre-amp signal through. If you select an amp that does not have this line pass you can simply split the signal following the Overdrive Line out.

 

[Boca_Vincent]

Randy,
I had been following this thread and wanted to see if you did the install yet and which 6 ch amp you ended up going with.
I am going with the fusion also, the IP600, and wanted to know how the three way zone mode worked out? I am figuring one zone cabin, with a pair of 6" speakers, and zone two, the cockpit with 3 pair and sub, similar to your plan. My last thought was to add something up on the bow for the sun worshipers so i don't have to blast the cockpit for them to have decent sound. Would this work as a third zone?
I am starting from scratch with no existing system to incorporate, so I am all ears.
Thanks already to Four Suns and HIFI for their experience.

 

[LMBoat]

I also have some quesitons. I talked with the Fusion people and worked their gear at the Miami show. That's definately what I would like to buy. My Bose Lifestyle unit in the salon is toast. Is it worth repairing? Can I hook the Bose speakers & sub to the Fusion unit? Possible damage to either?

Currently, I have the Bose system in the salon and a Clarion on the bridge. The Fusion remote allows all fuctions and a display. My thought is to have only one system with the Fusion unit in the salon, with remotes at the helm and cockpit. I'll buy the Fusion unit with the built in Ipod dock <don't need CD capability> and add an A/B switch for the Aux in for TV/DVD and for Sat radio. With the zone set up that the Fursion has, I will be able to control the salon, cockpit and Bridge seperately. ie. watching a DVD, I can turn off cockpit and bridge, etc. And I'll still have full control at the helm.

Any thoughts/comments?

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Randy,
I had been following this thread and wanted to see if you did the install yet and which 6 ch amp you ended up going with.
I am going with the fusion also, the IP600, and wanted to know how the three way zone mode worked out? I am figuring one zone cabin, with a pair of 6" speakers, and zone two, the cockpit with 3 pair and sub, similar to your plan. My last thought was to add something up on the bow for the sun worshipers so i don't have to blast the cockpit for them to have decent sound. Would this work as a third zone?
I am starting from scratch with no existing system to incorporate, so I am all ears.
Thanks already to Four Suns and HIFI for their experience.

With ALOT of help from CSR member HIFI, I am right in the middle of this project as we speak. In fact yesterday I got the Fusion partially wired up and turned it on for the first time, but with only the cabin speakers connected. As such I cannot really comment as yet on its functionality. First impression though does seem good and the 3 zone setup does seem simple to work with.

I will be posting a thread soon with the details, but in the mean time feel free to ask away, or PM me with any questions.

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Here's the thread on the stereo upgrade.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/41642-340-Amberjack-Stereo-Upgrade

 

[HIFI]

I also have some quesitons. I talked with the Fusion people and worked their gear at the Miami show. That's definately what I would like to buy. My Bose Lifestyle unit in the salon is toast. Is it worth repairing? Can I hook the Bose speakers & sub to the Fusion unit? Possible damage to either?

Currently, I have the Bose system in the salon and a Clarion on the bridge. The Fusion remote allows all fuctions and a display. My thought is to have only one system with the Fusion unit in the salon, with remotes at the helm and cockpit. I'll buy the Fusion unit with the built in Ipod dock <don't need CD capability> and add an A/B switch for the Aux in for TV/DVD and for Sat radio. With the zone set up that the Fursion has, I will be able to control the salon, cockpit and Bridge seperately. ie. watching a DVD, I can turn off cockpit and bridge, etc. And I'll still have full control at the helm.

Any thoughts/comments?

Larry, your BOSE speakers are not compatible with anything other than the BOSE stereo. The cube speakers have oddball impedance and sub has electronics that are married to the BOSE console. What is wrong with it that you say “toast”?

I hope you can get/keep your BOSE system working. I think in the long run you will want these systems separate. That is my preference for many reasons. I have never been a fan of BOSE anything. I think the Lifestyle systems are architecturally perfect for a boat salon.

Having a separate AV system in you cabin/salon and a separate cockpit sound system is going to offer more flexibility than what the Fusion can do by itself.

 

[LMBoat]

HIFI,

Thanks for the comments. When I say "toast", the salon speakers do not work at all. The master works, but have a buzz, the display does not work, I can't change any settings, there is a loud pop through all the speakers when the power is turned on, can't get the CD holder out, etc. How much would it cost to repair a Lifestyle head unit? And is it worth it? It does not seem like smart money to repair a 12 year old stereo, but if I will have to replace the Bose speakers to make a change, maybe it's worth it? Who repairs these things?

 

[Asureyez]

Hi Larry: I'm looking to dump the XMD1 myself. I want one of these new styled systems where the phone can be hooked up inside the Stereo body and play Pandora streaming music, plus Bluetooth for my Andriod phone. Sony models are readily available with support for iPhone, but lame for Andriod devices. Next year maybe.

 

[HIFI]

HIFI,

Thanks for the comments. When I say "toast", the salon speakers do not work at all. The master works, but have a buzz, the display does not work, I can't change any settings, there is a loud pop through all the speakers when the power is turned on, can't get the CD holder out, etc. How much would it cost to repair a Lifestyle head unit? And is it worth it? It does not seem like smart money to repair a 12 year old stereo, but if I will have to replace the Bose speakers to make a change, maybe it's worth it? Who repairs these things?

I was hoping for one issue and problem or one issue with related problems. I just have to be frank and say I would not invest in a fix. Many people could deal without the CD tray as long as you have an aux input available for Ipod. I would spend some time and check wiring. Is it possible someone has rearranged a wire or two? Because of the way the Lifestyle systems components are specifically dependent it is a challenge to self diagnose. You can't just grab a speaker from something else to test. You could measure voltage on the speaker terminals of the speakers you state don't work confirming a signal is transferred. Signal measured could mean bad speakers, no signal could mean many things. The turn on thump is common. I could live with that.

If this was my rig I would budget for replacement. I would not try to get a mobile head unit to do all the duty we spoke of earlier.

BTW . . . if you can live without the Lifestyle look there are other choices that may sound better for less money.

 

[HUMPH]

BTW . . . if you can live without the Lifestyle look there are other choices that may sound better for less money.

Such as? I would love expert recommendations...

 

[HIFI]

Such as? I would love expert recommendations...

Too many choices . . . for the same Lifestyle money. You really have to have room for standard audio components. There are speaker manufacturers that make excellent small speakers so you can pick what your ears like. There are plenty of choices of Powered Subs available as well. Better sound is very easy to achieve for half the money.

No choice . . . . If you want the architecture. They are simply beautiful. They are just perfect for the boat Salon!

FYI . . . BOSE Lifestyle systems have all speaker amplification in the Sub Cabinet. This is a brilliant idea. The console has remained small. They have some proprietary electronics that mean it All works together and nothing else. You can’t use the console with anything else; you can't use the speaker system with anything else. In short you have to like it all. The sound is the weakest link in the Lifestyle system. That is sad.